MBOMBELA – Events that celebrate arts, culture, language, history and heritage will only be supported by the provincial government if they are inclusive and advance social cohesion. This was the response by the premier, Mr David Mabuza, during an oral answering session in legislature on Tuesday.
He was responding to a question on the nature of the Innibos festival posed to him by ANC MPL, Mr William Madibeng.
“As I highlighted in the State of the Province Address this year, we condemn and reject the divisive celebration of apartheid symbols that serve only to conjure images and feelings of a painful past for the majority of our citizens.
“As the provincial government, our position is clear. have engaged with the Innibos management and we are confident that we have reached a common understanding on working together to build a socially cohesive Mpumalanga.”
When pressed by Madibeng on how inclusivity will be promoted, Mabuza said Innibos management would gradually work towards including other cultures.
“It will not be an event, but a process. That is the direction the province is taking.”
Ms Sandra Jacobs, marketing manager of Innibos, said that it is an arts festival which celebrates Afrikaans as one of the 11 cultures in our country.
“Over the past 11 years it has done so in a manner which invites other cultures in, and it is by no means an exclusive festival for Afrikaans-speaking people only. Since its inception, the festival has always provided a platform for the colourful diversity of art and culture in our country.
“This year artists such as Tanisha Bhana, Reuben Mpangane and Tom Skosana, among others, will showcase their work in our main art exhibition. As always, an array of the province’s best crafters are invited to exhibit and sell their crafts at the Innibos festival terrain.
“Toti, a local siSwati ensemble, will feature on the Innibos Standard Bank main stage on Saturday night.
“They are excellent and we are proud that they are part of the province’s cultural treasure,” Jacobs said.
“A wide array of local musicians are also showcased on our open stages on the festival terrain and in our literary programme, well-known South African poet Antjie Krog will collaborate with Mannini Mokhothu.
“Everyone is welcome at Innibos.”
- Lees hier oor die ANC se besluit om hul boikot van Innibos op te hef.
